| Since 1990's, there appears the cognitive turn in the field of western linguistic, stylistics and narratology. Stylistics has long been conerning the relationship between the language form and the effect produced. Except observation on the choice of language, cognitive stylisticians focus more on cognitive construct and cognitive process related to language choices, in an attempt to give systematic explanation of the relationship between text and the understanding of it. In another word, cognitive stylistic throws light on the psychological effect based on the cognitive models and the language characteristics which produce the effect.Generally speaking, the most frequently used cognitive tools are as following: Cognitive model (CM) and idealized cognitive model (ICM); Mental space and conceptual blending; Image schema; Text world theory; Cognitive metaphor; Figure and ground.Seize the Day is one of the most important work of Nobel prize winner Saul Bellow. The novel has absorbed nutrition form the essence of philosophy, arts etc. from 20th century and followed the tradition of narrative arts. It not only has smooth language and a complete form, but also contains rich philosophical themes, thus producing a heart-touching artistic effect.Adopting CM and ICM, the thesis will explore the text by analyzing the roles, images, themes and relationships among different roles. First, ICM of down, God father, death and teacher are established. The establishment of the ICMs helps us to evoke the related information and gain the meaning of the text as a whole by complementing the default values.Then, by analyzing different CM and ICM of different people, I will expose the cognitive roots under the conflict, which drive the plot of the novel move forward and expel the protagonist into despair in the end of the novel.
|
PDF Full Text Request